Miscellaneous Concluding Observations. 199
less elongated line of disturbance. The observations sum-
marised from the distribution of the damage (p. 92), combined
with the eleven directions now given, confirm us in the belief
that the N.E.-S.W. axis between Peldon and Abberton was
the true line of disturbance.
Personal Experiences of Direction.—The mere impressions as
to the direction from which the shock came, recorded by the
various observers in the descriptive report, are of little value
scientifically, and differ among themselves to such an extent
that in the same town or village we found the inhabitants
prepared to give almost every point of the compass as the
true direction. With the knowledge of the probable direction
of propagation at various stations as now indicated, it might
perhaps be of interest to compare personal impressions with
the supposed true direction, but want of space prevents us
from undertaking such an analysis in the present report.
Of the two recorded observations in which the actual passage
of the earth-wave is said to have been witnessed, that at
Colchester (p. 52) is unfortunately wanting in definiteness;
but the statement that the wave travelled from S. to N. at
Berechurch (p. 57) is fairly in accordance with the direction
which might have been expected. Doubts have been ex-
pressed as to the possibility of the vertical displacement being
sufficient to produce a visible wave, but, considering the
softness of clay and drift, it seems not improbable that such
a passage of the disturbance may have been witnessed,
especially when traversing a meadow, where the grass-blades
would assist the eye by magnifying the motion.106
Swaying of Buildings. — The observations of those who
are reported to have seen the swaying of buildings do not
appear to us to furnish any trustworthy information as to the
general direction of propagation, although in some cases, as
will be seen on reference to the descriptive report, the
observed direction of swing corresponds with the expected
direction of propagation. The same remarks which apply to
106 " In soft ground vertical motion appears to be a free surface-wave,
which outraces the horizontal component of motion." Milne's Report to
the British Association at Aberdeen, 'Nature,' Oct. 1st, 1885, p. 527.